U.S. CUSTOMS ISSUES NEW TOBACCO GUIDELINES

U.S. CUSTOMS ISSUES NEW TOBACCO GUIDELINES

   U.S. Customs has issued new guidelines to its field inspectors to monitor the import and export of tobacco products.

   Last November, President Clinton signed into law the Tariff Suspension and Trade Act of 2000, which includes the so-called Imported Cigarette Compliance Act.

   In the agency’s new guidelines, details are provided for how to properly mark tobacco and cigarettes to comply with the law. Imported tobacco products must comply with the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act.

   The agency, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, is especially concerned about the illegal trade of tobacco products, such as the importation of previously exported cigarettes.

   It’s estimated that organized cigarette smuggling generates billions of dollars in profits for international criminal organizations. Cigarette smuggling is often done to avoid paying taxes and tariffs.

   Customs encourages shippers and carriers to report incidents of tobacco product smuggling by e-mail at tobaksmug@customs.treas.gov.